SKOPELOS

HOLIDAYS ON THE SHINING STAR OF THE SPORADES

This green island, with its tree-studded beaches and secluded bays, may be where Mamma Mia was filmed, but it hasn’t let fame go to its head

If your holiday priorities are tranquillity, relaxation and natural beauty, then make your way to Skopelos in the Sporades. Layer upon layer of luscious shades of green make a stunning vista; a pine trees stretching out for the seashore, hidden coves with their fishing boats, winding paths through dense virgin forests. Banish any thoughts of timetables or deadlines and spend whole afternoons wandering around the picturesque main town, a cluster of cobblestone streets, tiny chapels and neoclassical buildings. Art comes to life everywhere here in Skopelos; in the hand-crafted vases and hand-painted plates, in the embroidery and miniature model boats. The star of the hit musical Mamma Mia, which gave the island its recent fame, will also be the star of your holiday.

What to do on Skopelos

Very green, very serene
Here your holidays will be painted green and blue. About 80% of Skopelos is covered in dense, luxuriant forest. The sea and the trees merge into one on beaches such as Milia, Panormos, Elios, Velanio, Glysteri, Agnontas, Pethameni, Armenopetra and Antrines, where the pine trees embrace the Aegean Sea, providing shade after a refreshing dip.

A picturesque labyrinth: Skopelos town
You will see the town as soon as your ferry moors. It is the capital and harbour of the island. Spreading out across the cove, it skirts the landscape and climbs towards the ruins of a Byzantine castle. It’s all here; lagstone streets with whitewashed stairs, flowers on the patios, ornate arches, pretty windowsills, well-kept homes built by rich merchants, sailors and landowners. Tucked in among all this are 40 little chapels. This is the main town, and it promises to fill your holidays with unforgettable memories. Immerse yourself in its beauty, then take a break at an ouzeri, cafe or bar and have a drink under the mulberry trees.

Keeping old traditions alive: Glossa
A small community built into the hillside on the northwestern part of the island. Walking around its sleepy streets, you will come across the church of Panagia Eleutherotria (The Liberator). It is here that a shipwrecked sailor would came to pray for his safety. The story goes that he found the Virgin Mary’s icon and was saved. In the little alleyways of the village you will find a pottery workshop that keeps the old tradition alive.

The plums of Skopelos
Three different varieties are cultivated here: avgato(a dessert plum), sour (used for cooking and jams) and Agen (the French variety, used in cooking, desserts and also dried as prunes). Discover the sweetness of Skopelos.

Images of Skopelos

Hidden gems of Skopelos

A pretty port: Loutraki
The second port in Skopelos was built upon the ruins of Ancient Selinountas. It took its name Loutraki from the Romanloutra (baths) that used to be here.

The artisans
Family traditions continue in the workshops; black and red vases shaped into figurines, miniature models of boats, cast iron knives, oil lamps, embroidery and hand-painted plates. These are all souvenirs with real character … unique and traditional.

Agios Ioannis Prodromos monastery: straight out of a film
In Kastri, Agios Ioannis - once a Catholic Monastery - is built at the tip of an impressive rock (you’ll have to climb 110 steps!). Although small, it is now world-renowned thanks to the movie Mamma Mia, which made it the setting for its wedding scene.